UNDP Jobs - 52457- Project Management Advisor (Gender)

Project Management Advisor (Gender)

Location :

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

29-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Gender Equality is a core objective of UNDP that is implemented throughout the organization with a two-pronged approach: (i) mainstreaming gender in all core practices; and, (ii) dedicated interventions that empower women and promote gender equality. UNDPs work on gender is guided by the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the frameworks provided by the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). UNDP coordinates global and national efforts to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment as a pathway to achieving the MDGs. Progress continues to be made at regional level towards achieving international goals and targets related to gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa. Notable improvements have been realized in gender parity in primary schools and parliamentary seats held by women. However, analyzed from the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index (GII) which looks at 3 key dimensions namely labor market, empowerment and reproduction health; more needs to be done to achieve gender equality at all levels in society and this requires focus and action in critical areas – these include building a socioeconomic enabling environment for women, investing in professional and education skills for women and girls, and empowering women in economic structures to increasing their representation and participation in political and leadership positions.

UNDP Africa’s strategic vision places capacity development for pro-poor growth and accountability at the centre of all UNDP-supported activities in the region, given the fact that lack of capacity in these areas remains one of the key challenges faced by Africa today in its efforts to achieve the MDGs. To achieve this goal UNDP has set itself the tasks of strengthening African capacity in four broad based areas: i) poverty reduction and achievement of the MDGs; ii) consolidating democratic and participatory governance; iii) conflict prevention, peace building and recovery; and iv) energy, environment and sustainable development.

The Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) covering forty-six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa supported development through the third regional programme for Africa 2008-2013. Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Africa’ is a component of the regional programme which aimed to enhance capacities for formulating and implementing gender-sensitive MDG-based policies and strategies, gender mainstreaming, and women’s economic political empowerment. Following an evaluation of the regional programme and discussions held between AU and UNDP in 2012, a new regional gender project on Building an enabling environment for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Political Participation in Africa’ was recently approved. The project aims to catalyze regional processes that will have a high impact on the goal of accelerating implementation of commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment. In line with AU’s African Women’s Decade (2010-2020), UNDP Gender Strategic Plan, and responding to Africa’s development priorities and emerging challenges, the project provides mechanisms for stimulating greater success on gender equality at the regional level. It also offers opportunity for testing new modalities and fast- tracking implementation of prioritized support to women’s economic and political empowerment.

The regional project under which this posts falls is in line with the third focus area mentioned above and its interventions are designed to (i) enhance regional capacities for formulating and implementing gender-responsive MDG-based policies and strategies, and (ii) promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in all UNDP’s key focus areas and support women’s economic, political and social empowerment.

The Gender Advisor and Project Manager will function as a Gender Advisor and be responsible for providing intellectual leadership and advisory services to guide, coordinate and/or facilitate the development of gender activities, gender mainstreaming and capacity development to support RBA programmes. She/he will also be the primary responsible for the planning and management the project; including reporting, oversight and delivery of results, according to the principles of results based management (RBM). The post will have a matrix reporting line: to the Deputy Regional Director for guidance and supervision for the effective management and delivery of project results, to the Regional Service Center Manager for day to day supervision and to the HQ gender advisor for substantive guidance and supervision with regard to technical and advisory functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of functions

Strategic Policy Advisory Services;
Knowledge and capacity building, adaptive management and learning supports delivery of results;
Technical support to project development;
Project management, monitoring and oversight;
Strategic partnership and resource mobilization.

Strategic policy advice, substantive technical guidance and leadership

Provide authoritative advice and technical guidance on the direction and strategies throughout the different stages of programming from planning to delivery of results;
Initiate and/or contribute to strategic discussions with senior level partners, stakeholders and internal colleagues on gender project identification and discussion and policy formulation;
Submit policy proposals, position papers and/or documents for internal and external strategic discussions, consideration, policy formulation and assessment and/or approval;
Assess programme impact and oversee the appropriateness and accuracy of methods used to verify progress and results. Develop innovative approaches to enhance performance;
Contribute to the preparation and finalization of UNDPs annual reports on the implementation of the gender equality strategy and contribute to UN Secretary- General’s reports on the implementation of UN resolutions;
Undertake analysis of gender policy and programme documents including country office reports to institutionalize gender development effectiveness and mainstreaming;
Develop performance indicators and guidelines for effective compliance with the Strategic Plan and score card;
Advise on the identification, formulation, planning and evaluation of gender programmes;
Provide technical advice and guidance in the collection and use of sex- disaggregated statistical data and gender analysis for development of engendered MDG reporting across all 8 MDG goals.

Knowledge and capacity building

Develop/adopt a universal codification system for easy storage and retrieval of gender-related data and materials, develop and widely disseminate knowledge products to strengthen organizational and governmental capacity to provide technical backstopping on gender issues and to establish conceptual clarity on gender mainstreaming and research on emerging gender issues;
Introduce innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote its application and mainstreaming across RBA regional projects and country office level;
Access organizational worldwide and regional knowledge, best practices and lessons learned, distil best practices and ensure its dissemination for organizational and stakeholders learning and sharing;
Develop a strategic plan for learning and development and lead the implementation of training activities on gender mainstreaming techniques;
Track and monitor progress on gender mainstreaming across all focus areas of the UNDP regional programme.

Project planning and implementation

Lead the gender based analysis of the political, social and economic trends in the region and establish the implementation plan for the project;
Monitor, manage and oversight the different steps and stages of project execution, take decisions and timely actions to ensure results are achieved;
Propose areas for continuing support based on changing regional trends, priorities, political and economic conditions;
Manage the preparation for Project Committees and Project Management Team Meetings and other designated forums and follow up on all decisions taken to ensure implementation and/or timely action;
Submit required and other project reports (progress, financial, procurement, etc) for management information, communication, oversight and action.

Project management, monitoring and oversight

Establish the work plan, activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient project implementation and operations and achievement of results;
Monitor the progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution.Plan and manage project resources (financial and human resources) to maximize project cost-effectiveness and efficiency;
Plan and oversee the implementation of mid-term and other required project evaluation to address any design or implementation issues;
Authorize and/or approve the appropriate use of human, financial, assets and other organizational resources;
Determine the staffing and/or consultancy needs, prepare terms of reference, establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and effective supervision to ensure optimum performance of the project team.
Manage, monitor and report on all additional funding mobilized according to Agreements entered into to ensure full adherence to the terms and conditions of each Agreement signed;
Ensure compliance of all actions and activities with organizational rules, regulations, policies, strategies and internal control mechanisms and the achievement of results according to the principles of results based management (RBM).

Strategic partnership and resource mobilization

Maintain dialogue with partners and stakeholders to advocate, promote and advance gender issues, priorities, interests and competencies;
Coordinate and collaborate with clients, partners and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and to promote common interests and achievement of results;
Develop a strategy and plan of action for resource mobilization to achieve optimum interests and funding;
Represent UNDP in regional and global fora to promote, advocate and speak for the organizational on strategic and common issues;
Strengthen the UNDP/RBA relationship with the African Union Commission and the Regional Economic Commissions through advocacy, partnership and active collaboration for Gender Equality in the region.

Impact of Results:

The Regional Bureau for Africa’s performance in effective gender mainstreaming contributes to improvement in the women’s economic and political empowerment in the region. The successes at the micro level lead to transformation and policy influence for eliminating structural barriers and practices against women and girls in the continent.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning;
Extensive knowledge of the gender dimensions of sustainable economic growth, food security, political participation and democratic governance in Africa;
Ability to generate and share gender related knowledge and experience throughout the spectrum of community of practice
Ability to collect and promote best project management practices;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management, evaluation and reporting;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Ability to contribute to gender related capacity building training and to enhance stakeholders and partners ‘skills in the areas linked to project’s focus;
Ability to advocate and provide timely policy advice;
Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to deliver sound technical advice on gender and women’s economic empowerment issues and perform a variety of specialized tasks related to public institution’s strategic planning and management towards gender equality;
Proven skills in Results-Based Management, including efficient and effective management of project resources (staff and financial) planning and implementation of project activities, managing data and reporting;
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required;
Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing to advocate and influence policy makers;
Ability to analyse and evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.

Leadership and Self-Management

Strategic leadership and thinking;
Ability to establish and sustain strategic partnership and alliances;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and in good humour even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters’ Degree in development related disciplines, or social sciences, economics and other related social development fields is required.
Post-graduate degree in gender issues is highly desirable.

Experience:

A least ten years of progressively responsible experience in gender and related fields of governance, environment, economic growth, food security program development and implementation, research, knowledge management, capacity building and mainstreaming at the policy and operational levels in a governmental, multilateral, bilateral or Civil Society Organizational-setting and within a multicultural environment at national or international level;
Ability to use computers and office software packages and advance knowledge of spread sheet and database packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and French is required; and
Good working knowledge of Portuguese language is an asset.